Swansea-based local energy company generates £35k benefit for community

After a successful year, the business has confirmed that it will be issuing community benefit of around £35,000 to be shared between its community of customers and 3 local charities.

In partnership with award winning green energy supplier Ecotricity, Gower Electric Co supplies electricity from the solar farm and battery storage facility in Dunvant, Swansea to local customers when they need it.

As a Community Interest Company, Gower Electric Co says it uses its surplus for the benefit of the community, either through money off customers’ bills or donating to charity.

This year, in difficult financial times, the company said many of it’s customers have opted to have money off their bills, with a typical household receiving a £270 credit to their account as a result of their membership of the scheme. Heart-warmingly, many customers have also chosen to donate some or all of their share to the community, which this year includes Coeden Fach Community Tree Nursery, Forest School Swansea Neath Port Talbot and Y Felin Dwyr. A total of £3,000 is being donated to these organisations.

In addition to supplying local people’s homes, Gower Electric Co supplies home grown electricity through its EV chargers at the solar farm in Dunvant, which is says are fairly priced at 18p/kWh.

James Orme, founder of Gower Electric Co said: “This is a fantastic result and shows that its possible to supply local 100% green energy and create benefit for the community at the same time.

“We are very grateful for the support of our customers and partners who have made this happen, especially over the past year which has been difficult for many. We’re looking forward to expanding this scheme into 2024 and beyond.”

Paul Sands, Chief Growth Officer at Ecotricity said: “We’re really happy to be working with Gower Electric Co and their customers, supporting this important grass-roots community energy initiative. It’s been great to see the project grow and we believe it could be a blueprint for many others around the country, combining vital green energy genera􏰁on with other local community benefits.”

Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters said: “The use of locally generated energy is an effective way to tackle climate change and keep the benefit in our communities.

“Gower Electric is a great example of how a community renewables project can be developed with the intention of delivering social value alongside energy generation – I wish them all the best on their community energy journey!”

In 2021 the Development Bank of Wales backed Gower Electric Co to launch this renewable project. Nicola Griffiths said: “This is a great example of the difference our Local Energy Fund can make to grass-roots community projects like Gower Electric Co.

“It’s satisfying to see local people and communities benefit so much from these efforts to create a net zero economy.

“As an impact investor with a social purpose, we are committed to play our part to achieve a low-carbon future for Wales. Our congratulations to James and his team.”